EOF FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is EOF a financial aid program?
EOF is a state-funded program designed to provide access to higher education and academic support. However, there is a small portion of financial aid in the form of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Grant that students may receive up to $975 a semester.
2. Will EOF cover all my college expenses?
EOF-awarded students receive an EOF financial aid grant of up to $975 a semester. Students may receive other financial aid as part of the financial aid package, such as federal (such as PELL or Student Work-Study) and/or state (such as TAG) grants, scholarships, or loans.
3. How do I apply for admission as an EOF student?
Students who apply for admission as EOF Freshman are considered for EOF. Students must select this option from a drop-down list on the online admission application instead of selecting Freshman. Financial documentation is required to be submitted to the EOF Office to verify financial eligibility. Documentation consists of two previous year’s parent IRS Tax Return Transcripts or two previous years statements from each source of income (if no federal taxes were filed) along with the Student Aid Report (SAR) for the academic year you are looking to enroll If you are an Independent student, you will need to provide your previous two years' taxes if filed or an IRS letter of non-filing, along with the SAR. Additional documentation may be requested to verify eligibility.
The State of New Jersey, Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Educational Opportunity Fund determines the household size and income eligibility criteria for EOF, which is subject to change annually: http://www.state.nj.us/highereducation/EOF/EOF_Eligibility.shtml.
4. Besides income, what other requirements are there to receive EOF?
Students:
- Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Must be New Jersey residents 12 consecutive months prior to receiving the award.
- Must meet the academic criteria as set by the institution of choice.
- Must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Must demonstrate an educationally and economically disadvantaged background.
- Must apply and be accepted to a participating New Jersey college or university.
5. Do all EOF students receive the same amount for the EOF Grant?
Full-time, financially eligible EOF students may receive up to $975 a semester. This amount is not guaranteed. The EOF Grant received each semester depends upon the student’s compliance with the student agreement they sign each year, compliance with the EOF Program procedures, rules and regulations (such as attending advisement sessions, workshops, tutoring, etc.), the academic progress the student is making, and also upon the amount of funding received by the State of New Jersey for the grant. EOF financially eligible students enrolled in 6-11 credits may be eligible for a part-time EOF grant. EOF part-time grants are limited, and award amounts depend on the number of credits the students are enrolled in that particular semester.
6. Do I lose my EOF Grant if my parents’ income changes?
Each year, you must file the FAFSA for the upcoming school year. If it is determined that you no longer meet the income guidelines for receiving EOF, you may remain a student in the EOF program, but you would be a “non-funded” student for EOF.
7. If I fail a class, will I lose my EOF Grant?
The answer depends on whether you are making satisfactory academic progress based on your cumulative GPA. To receive any type of financial aid, including the EOF Grant, students must be in good academic standing and make academic progress (pace) toward a degree in a reasonable amount of time. Satisfactory Academic Progress is monitored yearly.
8. What must be done to finalize enrollment in the EOF Program and its Pre-Freshman Summer Academy?
After you have been admitted to Kean University and the EOF Program, you must take the placement test, schedule your Fall courses with the CAPS department, submit all the required health records to Health Services, and complete the Residence Life housing application.
9. What are the EOF Summer Academy Workshops?
It is important for students to have a way to learn about how the University and the EOF Program work. Acquiring an understanding of the university and program mission, organizational structure, curricular/program design, and policies and procedures is essential to navigating the road ahead. As students are called to meet the challenges ahead they need to know what avenues can be accessed in addressing not only academic, career, personal, and financial issues but also issues of productive citizenship within the college community. The Workshops facilitated by our EOF Counselors/Advisors are meant to start this investigative process.
10. What is living on campus like during the summer, and what monitoring is done to ensure students are adjusting to the EOF Pre-Freshman Summer Academy?
To assist students with managing academically and socially, Residential Assistants, Residence Hall Directors in Residence Life, Faculty, EOF Counselors/Advisors, and Peer Counselors share information about each student. Faculty provide weekly course attendance and academic progress reports, academic coaching and advisement records are shared, and weekly residence life reports are reviewed. EOF Counselors meet with their students at least once weekly, and if there appears to be a situation calling for immediate attention, phone calls are made, and meetings are held.
11. Are students able to go home during the Summer Academy?
Students may be required to stay on certain weekends. Any required weekend will be discussed at the Summer Academy Orientation.
12. Is working during the Summer Academy?
Only weekend jobs can be held during the EOF Summer Academy when students are not expected to stay on campus. Academic work cannot be successfully managed while working a part-time job during the week.
13. Can a student have a car on campus during the Summer Academy?
Yes, but only if Residence Life has authorized the student under special circumstances.
14. What kinds of assistance do EOF Counselors/Advisors provide students during orientation weekend and during the course of the Summer Academy?
Each student is required to meet on a one-to-one basis with his/her assigned EOF Counselor/Advisor during the Summer Academy. Meeting schedules are set; time is taken to review background information provided by students to the program before their arrival on campus, and at all times, the student's adjustment to the challenges presented by the EOF Summer Academy is explored. Whether the challenges are academic, personal, social, career, or financial, the EOF Counselor/Advisor role provides guidance and, where appropriate, advocacy.
Students are assisted with registering for their fall courses, faculty-provided student progress reports are reviewed, and strategies for addressing any concerns with course performance are identified.
15. What types of extracurricular activities are available to students?
Residence Life plans Numerous events for the EOF Summer Academy, including a barbecue, recreational activities, movies, etc.